Thus is what the rules say...
In searching for his ball anywhere on the*course
, the player may touch or bend long grass, rushes, bushes, whins, heather or the like, but only to the extent necessary to find or identify the ball, provided that this does not improve the lie of the ball, the area of his intended*stance
*or swing or his*line of play;...
I does sound as if your player was in clear breach of this!
